By Brad
Online magazine The Root has published its annual “Root 100” list, a selection of people who “represent the ideals of The Root.” Among those named this year: NBA star LeBron James, musician Wyclef Jean, actor and Tony Award winner Viola Davis… and our very own Co-Chairman David Sutphen.
From The Root’s write-up about the list:
Sutphen exploits his rich background in politics, media and law to help shape the national policy debate on regulating the Internet. An attorney with the Brunswick Group, he also serves as co-chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance, a coalition of media businesses, nonprofits and other stakeholders committed to establishing America’s rules of the road regarding the Web. Before his current roles, Sutphen served as a senior executive at Viacom, chief of staff for former Rep. Harold Ford, as Sen. Edward Kennedy’s general counsel and an attorney for the Recording Industry Association of America.
Congratulations David!
By Brad
IIA Co-Chairman David Sutphen sat down with The Root to talk about minorities, and the need to increase both broadband access and adoption:
TR: How do you see creating wider access to broadband? Do you do it through legislation or the private effort?
DS: I think it’s a kind of an all-hands-on-deck approach at this point. For the first time, you have an administration committed to a national broadband plan. The goal is to come up with policy that will facilitate universal broadband. You have a broad cross-section of industries that make up Broadband for America, the goal being to reach 100 percent access and adoption.
It’s a perfect illustration of an issue which there really is mutual benefit to both government and private industry to work collaboratively in areas where businesses can’t get any type of return. Maybe that’s where the government, with the $7 billion of stimulus money [allocated to technology] can make some of the initial investments that allows private industry to come in, after the fact, and make sure that if you’re in a rural community or a Native American reservation that you still have an opportunity to get connected.
Check out the full interview.
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